Mus'ab ibn Umayr

Mus'ab was the son of a wealthy Qurayshi family. He was known as the most handsome and most elegantly dressed young man in Makkah — his perfume would linger in the streets after he passed. When he accepted Islam secretly, his mother — who doted on him — disowned him and cut off his allowance. He went from wearing the finest clothes to wearing patched garments. The Prophet once saw him in his ragged state and said to the Companions with tears in his eyes: 'I saw this man in Makkah — there was no one with better hair, better clothes, or more luxury. And now look at him.' After the First Pledge of Aqabah, the Prophet sent Mus'ab as his ambassador to Yathrib (Madinah) to teach Islam and recite the Qur'an. He was extraordinarily effective — through his wisdom and beautiful recitation, he converted many key figures including Sa'd ibn Mu'adh and Usayd ibn Hudayr, chiefs of their respective clans. His mission laid the groundwork for the Hijrah. At the Battle of Uhud, he carried the Prophet's banner. When the battle turned, the enemy targeted the standard-bearer. Mus'ab's right hand was cut off and he held the banner with his left. His left hand was cut off and he held it with his stumps. He was then struck and killed. When they came to shroud him, his garment was so small that if they covered his head, his feet showed, and if they covered his feet, his head showed. The Prophet instructed them to cover his head with the garment and his feet with idhkhir grass.